Reaction to reinstatement of Padua principal Cindy Mann John J. Jankowski Jr. & Daniel Sato
St. Anthony of Padua Parish announced Tuesday that Cindy Mann has been reinstated as principal of Padua Academy, under the terms of her most recent contract.
"I look forward to immediately returning to my school family after the Easter break," 68-year-old Mann said in a statement after the announcement. "I thank Fr. Waseline and the Oblates for resolving this dispute and I am certain that we will work tirelessly to heal all hurts and join in the effort to continue the success which is Padua Academy and St. Anthony’s parish.
"Our Bishop, W. Francis Malooly, played an indispensable role and was a good shepherd for his flock throughout our difficulties. I love our parents and this could not have happened without their tireless efforts and prayers. My girls stood by me and picked me up when I was down. I know they will remember throughout their lives that good can come out of every difficult situation as long as we stick together and rely on our heavenly Father. I can’t wait to see you and give each of you a big hug."
The announcement comes less than two weeks after Mann was abruptly fired for "insubordination" and just days before Good Friday and Easter, holidays commemorating the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Her dismissal set off a series of protests and threatened to divide the Catholic community right in the midst of Holy Week, with some strongly in favor of Mann's reinstatement and others less than eager to see her return.
After a tumultuous 12 days, students of the all-girls school and their parents said they were elated to hear of Mann’s reinstatement before students were set to be off for Easter break.
“We’re just absolutely beyond thrilled,” said Ruth Langrehr, whose daughter is a junior at the Wilmington school. “The Padua community can get back to healing and facing the holy weekend as a community.
“We’re just thrilled it’s resolved today and Mrs. Mann will be back in the building ... to be back with her girls.”
Other parents celebrated on Facebook.
"God is good," one said. "Prayers answered," said another.
After the principal’s March 16 ouster, students and parents had promised to withhold money to the parish. Emails revealed Mann had questioned the financial relationship between the parish and the school, resulting in her firing.
On Feb. 2, Rev. Nicholas Waseline, the 67-year-old pastor of St. Anthony parish, ordered that money be assessed against Padua Academy in the form of a "stewardship collection," according to an email dated that day. Mann questioned the justification for the assessment in an email to the school's Board of Trustees.
On March 16, Waseline sent a letter to Mann informing her she was being terminated immediately.
Since then Mann has hired Wilmington attorney Thomas Neuberger, whose law firm represented most of the more than 150 abuse victims who filed suit against the diocese and religious orders in Delaware, including the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales, in the early 2000s.
Cindy Mann is reinstated as Padua principal Daniel Sato/The News Journal/Wochit
On Sunday, Neuberger announced that negotiations with the Oblates, a congregation of Roman Catholic priests and brothers, had fallen apart. The Oblates, in turn, said they have no authority over the hiring and firing of parish personnel. The parish fired back at Neuberger, expressing doubt Mann could even perform her job if she were reinstated, given reports about her health.
Since then, the parish appears to have had a change of heart. A spokesman for Diocese of Wilmington announced Mann's reinstatement mid-afternoon Tuesday in a short statement.
"Fr. Waseline took this action in the best interests of Padua Academy and its students, and in the hope that Mrs. Mann and he can work together for the benefit of both the academy and the parish," the statement said. "Mrs. Mann may return to work as soon as her treating physician certifies that she is able to resume her duties as principal.
"After Mrs. Mann returns to work, as the end of the school year approaches, Fr. Waseline and she will discuss the renewal of her contract. The parish is willing to consider a two-year renewal, which would be inconsistent with diocesan policy, but the Diocese is willing to make an exception for Mrs. Mann under the circumstances."
Neuberger, who was treating Mann's labor dispute as pro-bono case, said: “It is an Easter miracle. It’s a day of new birth, and I am sure good working relationships will abound at Padua and St. Anthony’s.”
Contact Jessica Bies at (302) 324-2881 or jbies@delawareonline.com. Follow her on Twitter @jessicajbies.